Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Recognized in Preseason Rankings
10/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 2, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- With two All-Americans, a Big Ten champion and four NCAA qualifiers returning for 2006, the Wildcats have received national recognition entering the 2006-07 season. Seven 'Cats appear in the Wrestling USA preseason rankings, including top-ranked Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward's). As a team, Northwestern is ranked sixth by Rev Wrestling and eighth by Wrestling USA.
Rev Wrestling places Northwestern below only Minnesota and Michigan out of the Big Ten, a conference that sent 72 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in 2006.
Wrestling USA's preseason preview puts Northwestern at eighth in the country. Herbert, NCAA runner-up at 174 lbs. is ranked No. 1 at 184. Herbert went 36-1 in 2005-06, with a perfect 14-0 record in dual meets. He is a two-time All-American and won the Big Ten championship last season.
The All-American Lang is No. 1 at 141 lbs. Lang posted a 22-7 record last season, including a 7-3 record in duals. He finished fourth at the NCAA Championships.
Junior Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick), another All-American candidate, ranks eighth at 197 lbs. Tamillow went 22-11 last season, with a 8-5 dual meet record. He placed sixth at the Big Ten Championships.
Junior Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion), a two-time NCAA qualifier at 285 lbs., is ranked fifth heading into the season. Fox went 28-11 last year, 11-4 in duals. He placed third at the Big Ten Championships.
The publication recognizes other Wildcats heading into the 2006-07 season. Sophomore Dominic Marella (Roselle, Ill./Conant) sits in 32nd at 157 lbs., junior Greg Hagel (Linwood, N.J./Blair Academy) is 23rd at 165 lbs. and senior Nick Hayes (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central) ranks 23rd at 174 lbs.
The 'Cats placed 13th at the 2006 NCAA Championships and are looking to build on the solid finish. The 2006-07 season begins Nov. 4 at the Eastern Michigan Open. The 'Cats host the Northwestern Duals Nov. 12 at Welsh Ryan Arena.
